By Lisa Morgan
Coachella Valley’s sanctuary for some of our country’s most amazing and helpful creatures is at it again, raising eyebrows as well as funds. Go ahead and raise those eye brows ladies, but just make sure you raise your hand at the auction. It’s not every day you’ll have the opportunity to bid on the cowboy of your choosing while doing an incredible thing for not only for this incredible organization, but all the other programs that they and their horses support.
This organization works closely with other non-profit organizations in our community including the local 4-H organization, Sandblasters, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Desert Recreation District. Their hope is to raise the funds to expand services to local schools by offering field trips to the ranch and facilitating animal cruelty prevention and education. They also hope to offer financial assistance to kids who otherwise couldn’t afford horseback riding lessons. The goal is to offer these services using rescued horses, which they rehabilitate and train. “We have sweet, loving miniature horses available for horse therapy. We have hosted field trips for Special Needs children at our ranch, and we participated with our miniature horses and pony in the Xavier High School Extravaganza fundraiser for Special Needs children and young adults,” shared Annette Garcia, Rescue Director.
I still remember like it was yesterday, speaking with Garcia as she prepared to launch the first annual event last year. “We had 18 horses…” Her voice trailed off as her valiant attempt to stifle her tears failed her. “We had 18 horses, but we lost Storm. She had a special place in my heart. Storm had come to the rescue, wild and pregnant. You couldn’t go near her; she wouldn’t pick up her feet. Any fierier would tell you that Storm turned out to be one of the best horses on the property.” Garcia explained, “Storm just finally let me know that she was in a lot of pain and that it was time to let her go.” The website still has a touching and fitting tribute to Storm, produced by two of the girls, Gracie and Katelin, who visited and helped with duties at the rescue property. They told what they knew of Storm’s story against the back drop of beautiful pictures of the majestic, grey, Arab and Quarter mix mare. As music plays, these words scroll:
She had a 10% chance of living.
No one could touch her.
No one knew her story.
No one knew her pain.
No one knew her suffering.
She overcame her fears.
She started to trust.
She may never be ridden and that’s ok.
She was and is a survivor.
She is a rescue horse in her forever home.
It suddenly became very clear to me, as I watched, why these horses, this rescue organization and these people are so effective as part of a therapy program for troubled youth and adults much like myself. These horses, these people, are just like us – fighting to find strength and beauty in broken places. And here, they succeed together beautifully.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, November 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue Ranch, located 2 miles north of the I-10 Freeway (from I-10, exit Monroe Street), 1/4 mile east of Granite Construction . Admission includes dinner, dancing, live country music from R Buckle Road, live and silent auctions, and games. All proceeds will be used for the care and rehabilitation of the rescued animals at Coachella Valley Horse Rescue Ranch. Tickets are now on sale at www.cvhorserescue.org and via telephone at (760) 808-6279. Tickets are $50 per person. Corporate or individual sponsorships are available between $250 and $1,500.
The Coachella Valley Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer charitable organization dedicated to making a difference by educating the public and our youth about these beautiful animals. The group works tirelessly to rescue horses from slaughter, neglect or abuse. Their ultimate goal for the horses they rescue is rehabilitation and placement in loving and forever homes. Thanks to the dedication of its volunteers, members and financial supporters, horses that were once forgotten are now thriving.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue at (760) 808- 6279 or email Mrs. Annette Garcia at rescuedirector@cvhorserescue.org. To learn more about the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue visit them on the web at: www.cvhorserescue.com
